Premium research interface

The modern interface for aviation safety intelligence.

Search investigations, review source evidence, monitor watched reports, and trace long-term patterns from one calm, data-first workspace.

63k+
Reports indexed
1940-2026
Coverage
Recent
Last data refresh
Featured Report

Loading…

Loading featured report…

Loading…
Open Report

Safety trends by operating rule

Track fatal and non-fatal accident patterns across Part 91, Part 135, and Part 121 operations.

Loading trend charts…

Browse the aviation graph

Move quickly by aircraft, airport, operator, and time with indexes built for research, not wandering.

Last Data Update

By Decade

By Month

Aircraft Manufacturer

More manufacturers

Airports

More airports

Operators

More operators

About

Aviation safety reports, made easier to study

NTSB Reports is an independent research and search tool for public aviation accident and incident records. It brings NTSB aviation reports, structured fields, docket files, extracted figures, photos, videos, and update history into one searchable interface.

The goal is practical safety education: make it faster to find relevant investigations, compare similar events, review factual records, and understand the evidence behind probable-cause and preliminary reports.

The investigative work and source records belong to the National Transportation Safety Board and the published investigation record. This site is not affiliated with or endorsed by the NTSB.

FAQs

NTSB Report

September 22, 2016 · Cessna 185 D · N5892T

Fairbanks, AK

Overview

Report Status
Final with probable cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
September 22, 2016
Injury Outcomes
1 injury (1 minor injury), 1 uninjured
Location
Fairbanks, AK
Aircraft
Cessna 185 D (1964)
Tail Number
N5892T
Injuries
Minor
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
GAA16CA503

According to the pilot of the tailwheel-equipped airplane, he and his passenger waited most of the day for the 30-knot wind to subside before departing the 1,200-ft-long dirt and grass airstrip. He reported that the wind velocity had decreased to 10 knots and that he had calculated that, with the 10-knot headwind, the airplane would rotate about 700 ft down the runway. The pilot monitored the wind via ribbons placed at various locations around the airstrip. During takeoff, the airplane rotated about 700 ft down the runway and climbed to about 8 ft above the ground. The pilot stated that it "then it felt like we lost our lift." The pilot recalled that there wasn't enough runway remaining to land and that there was a brush-covered bank at the departure end of the runway. The airplane started to settle to the ground, and although operating at full power and on the cusp of a stall, they cleared the bank. Beyond the bank, the pilot landed the airplane on a short sand bar, but the airplane overran the sand bar and impacted several large rocks. After exiting the airplane, the pilot noticed that he had departed with an 8- to 10-knot tailwind. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the left-wing strut, the aileron, the horizontal stabilizer and the elevator. The pilot reported that there were no mechanical malfunctions or anomalies with the airframe or engine that would have prevented normal operation.

NTSB Probable Cause

The pilot’s failure to recognize he was taking off with a tailwind and his inadequate compensation for taking off with a tailwind, which led to the airplane’s failure to attain a climb and a subsequent forced landing.

Full Narrative

According to the pilot of the tailwheel-equipped airplane, he and his passenger waited for the majority of the day for the 30-knot wind to subside before departing the 1,200-ft. dirt and grass airstrip. He reported that the wind velocity had decreased to 10 knots and that he had calculated that with the 10-knot headwind, the airplane would rotate about 700 feet down the runway. The pilot monitored the wind via ribbons placed at various locations around the airstrip. He reported that during takeoff the airplane rotated about 700 feet down the runway, and climbed to about 8 feet above the ground; "then it felt like we lost our lift". The pilot recalled that there wasn't enough runway remaining to land, and there was a brush covered bank at the departure end of the runway. He reported that the airplane started to settle to the ground, and although operating at full power and on the cusp of a stall, they cleared the bank. Beyond the bank, the pilot landed the airplane on a short sand bar, but the airplane overran the sand bar and impacted several large rocks. The pilot reported that after exiting the airplane, he noticed that he had departed with an 8-10 knot tailwind. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the left-wing strut, the aileron, the horizontal stabilizer and the elevator. The pilot reported that there were no mechanical malfunctions or anomalies with the airframe or engine that would have prevented normal operation.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time17:45 AKDT
Nearest Airport0nm
Flight Plan FiledVFR
Flight Plan ActivatedNo
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftCessna 185 D
Tail NumberN5892T
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsContinental · IO-470F · Reciprocating · 260
Seats2

People & Injuries

Injury Summary1 injury (1 minor injury), 1 uninjured
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor1
Uninjured1
Total2
Crew 1Age 49 · First Class · Minor
Crew 2None

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDusk
Wind10 kt
Visibility10 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point0 C / 0 C
Altimeter0
Weather SourcePILO

Appendix: Source Data